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The number of children in London who are able to read and write properly after three years in school has increased, new figures show.

Test results for pupils aged seven reveal 87 per cent are on track with reading, up two percentage points on last year. In writing tests, 83 per cent reached government targets, compared with 81 per cent last year. Results in maths, science, speaking and listening also improved.

It follows the Evening Standard’s Get London Reading campaign, launched to boost literacy in the capital. An army of volunteer reading mentors was recruited to go into schools and help pupils who were struggling to master the basics. The Duchess of Cornwall and Tony Blair were among those who pledged their support for the campaign, which sought to spread love for reading across the capital.

Today’s improved results at Key Stage 1 follow five years during which national figures flatlined. They mean more than 79,000 seven-year-olds in the capital are reading well and reaching the expected Level Two in tests. But almost 12,000 are still struggling.

Nationally, across the range of subjects, girls continue to outperform boys, while the gap between rich and poor children has narrowed slightly. However, pupils on free school meals still perform lower in the tests. Pupils of Indian origin are more likely to do well in reading and writing, while Chinese pupils get the best results in maths, and pupils of Irish background scored highest in science.

Education and childcare minister Elizabeth Truss said: “I congratulate pupils, families and teachers on their hard work. The Government is committed to improving performance.”

Two thirds pass new phonics test

Almost two thirds of children in London have passed a new “phonics” reading test for five and six-year-olds brought in this year.

Today’s results show 60 per cent of pupils in London schools passed, compared with 58 per cent nationally. But teachers say phonics, where children are taught individual sounds and groups of letters, should not be the only way children are taught to read. Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: “No two children learn in exactly the same way.” Education and Childcare Minister Elizabeth Truss said: “The reading check helps teachers identify those pupils who need extra help.”

The number of state school pupils at Cambridge University is at a 30-year high at almost two thirds of the intake.